FEATURED IN THE MARCH 2019 ISSUE OF ROADRACING WORLD…
It is one of the oldest manufacturers of motorcycle
helmets, and in spite of the American company being acquired, merged, split,
and sold many times, Bell Powersports continues to design and develop
industry-leading motorcycle helmets where it started… California, U.S.A …
Bell Helmets evolved out of Bell Auto Parts, a hot
rod speed shop that took its name from its location in Bell, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. In
1945, Ray Richter, an automobile racer and race car builder, bought Bell Auto
Parts and expanded the company into a nationwide distributor of
high-performance automobile parts and accessories.
Tired of friends and fellow competitors dying in
crashes while competing in various motorsports events, Richter decided to
develop his own protective helmet for car racers. That was in 1954. The next
year Cal Niday became the first driver to wear a Bell helmet in the
Indianapolis 500, and although Niday suffered a bad crash that fractured his
skull, he credited his Bell helmet with saving him from a worse fate …
“Shops” by David Swarts, in the March 2019 Issue of Roadracing World
For
decades, Bell has been building helmets that protect riders and racers. The
company, still based in California, is founded on a passion for performance,
bicycle or motorsport. Associate Editor David Swarts visits the company’s
headquarters and takes a look at the design and development process of a helmet
company with deep roots in motorcycle racing. Read all the details in the March
2019 issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
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